In the world of tentpole pictures and franchises, Christopher Nolan is one of the rare directors who stands alone. Not only does he bring a fascinating twist to his subjects, but he does so on a cinematic scale with a budget to match, and an audience that flock to his film based on the fact that he is directing it.

I’ve gotta confess, I’m a fan of Nolan, love his films. But I wasn’t expecting this. Oppenheimer is miraculous. A modern day cinematic masterpiece with a director at the very height of his powers and an ensemble cast led by a career defining performance from Cillian Murphy to match.

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Based on the Pulitzer prize winning biographical epic American Prometheus, Oppenheimer is told from the perspective of the brilliant but complex scientific genius, J. Robert Oppenheimer. While being interrogated about supposed communist links, Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) reflects on his achievements — and mistakes — as he led the Manhattan project, ushering in the age of atomic weapons. 

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Oppenheimer is the kind of movie that they don’t make anymore - at least not on this scale. A grown up, in depth character study, painted on the grandest of historical and technological canvas, Oppenheimer is epic in every sense of the word. 

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Since this is a Nolan film it goes without saying that the art of the film from the production design to the cinematography to the thundering score is sublime. I don’t think you’ll see a better made movie this year. 

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There is so much here narratively, character wise, in its symbolism and themes and in the cinematic craft of the film that you won’t be able to absorb it all in one sitting. Nolan does a masterful job in giving you everything about the person on Oppenheimer; his genius, arrogance, ambition, fear, failings (both personal and professional), and his triumphs. Never is there any sense of judgement declared by Nolan on Oppenheimer: that is left up to us. 

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And in doing so the third act delivers the biggest emotional, intellectual, and existential gut punch that I’ve ever experienced in a film. I walked out of the cinema numb; not knowing what to think, rubbery legged and so awestruck by the film that I forget my phone and wallet. The last scene, with all its moral weight and wondering, was perfection and will sit with me for weeks. 

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At the very heart of Oppenheimer is Cillian Murphy’s performance. He deserves every acting gong going as he gives a completely human, soul filled acting masterclass, completely embodying the character of Oppenheimer. Sublime. 

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Murphy is surrounded by the greatest ensemble cast in recent memory. Having only really seen Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man for the last decade or so, seeing him play a character so far removed from his most famous incarnation was incredible. He is superb as Strauss and I’d expect acting noms to come knocking. Equally impressive are Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh who both have smaller roles but manage superb scene stealing moments. Matt Damon is also incredibly memorable here too.  

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Oppenheimer is miraculous. A modern day cinematic masterpiece with a director at the very height of his powers and an ensemble cast led by a career defining performance from Cillian Murphy to match.